Pre-pre school places

[1980Sport]

Hi - sorry this is going to be long but I'd really appreciate some thoughts or advice.

DS is 2.5 this month he has severe GDD - my friends' NT children of the same age are all starting pre pre school this Sept, either at community, church or Sure-Start run play groups - some for just a couple of days a week, others ever day. I have been investigating since March the possibilty of a similar place for DS but keep getting hit with brick walls.

There are 12 such groups in our area none of which can take him. We have visited the two local SN schools - one of which said a definite no but they would take him next year for a proper nursery place. The other said there seemed to be a definite need for this as I wasn't the first to approach them but the ELB (our LEA I'm in NI) had no statutory requirement to provide a place for under threes and in these times of austerity we would be unlikely to get a place for him.

It was suggested to me that he is being discriminated against based on his disability and that the ELB will have to fund a place for him somewhere but that this can't be decided until his statement is in place? Is this right? The statementing process has only just started.

OK - this is where it gets complicated. There is a brilliant SN nursery run by a local charity and funded by health trust 'A' - our house is located in health trust 'A' but our area used to be located in another trust area which no longer exists as all the small trust areas eg B C D E came together to join A and make one big health trust. Anyway the nursery only accepts from certain 'legacy' trust areas e.g. C and E and we live in what used to be B. So basically DS can't be considered for that reason even though it's now all one health trust. Again all phone calls have led to a dead end. We don't really know where to go from here - do we just wait for the statement or keep pestering...any advice much appreciated!

Excuse the typos! Also I'm not sure of the exact number of old trusts but I think I get the basics across (I hope)

I think it is a great shame that you are having difficulty finding a pre-school place for your Ds. In an ideal world he should be going to the one you choose!!

Did any of the 12 groups give you a good reason why they wouldn't take him, I find it quite staggering that out of 12 none is prepared to rise to the challenge of haveing a child with SN's

If you are anywhere near my area, we would take him, I am the SENCO in an inclusive commitee run playgroup. We have had a number of DC's with SN at playgroup and we love a challenge.

I think you should get advice from your local Early Years Support worker[I hope you have one]. Try phoning your council and asking to speak to someone from Children and Families. Or go back to your local Family Centre and ask them to help you.

I hope you find somewhere. Feel free to PM me and tell me what area you are in, I don't want to out myself but would love to help if you are near me.

HI sport I think weve chatted on here before our Dc have similar problems. My Ds is 2 at end of the month and we have put his name down on the Sn list as they have limited spaces and due to GDD they are not sure if he will need a SN placement?- think thats their polite way of saying if theres anyone more 'needing' the SN pacement he will get bumped.
But I have also been advised to put his name down for a local non Sn pre school, which I have done and they said they might be able to get funding for one-on-one with him. Is the not possible for the pre schools/nurseries in your area?
Im suprised no one has advised you sooner as my Ds can start about March 2012 if I wanted but I think I will wait and see how he is in himself nearer the time iyswim.
Definately speak to early years or council as Ineedalife says. Or portage if you have it?
Good luck.

Hi guys - thanks for responding!
Ineedalife - we're in Northern Ireland but thank you for the offer. It would've been great if we'd lived near you :)
It was the Early Years Advisor who told me that none of the 12 could take DS when I phoned to get the list :(
Wiggly - yes we've chatted before. DS will definitely need an SN nursey place and one of the SN schools we've visited has already said they would take him Sept 2012 with a settling in period from April 2012. But I really wanted a part time place for him this Sept with a focus on play and social interaction really rather than the more structured environment that I observed in the nursery class. I know he couldn't cope with proper nursery this year as he gets very tired and still takes a long nap each day. But I just feel sad that all my friends kids can go to these playgroups and DS can't :(

Oh and no portage here either! I think we need to move!

Oh shame 1980, we would have loved to have had him. My setting would have been ideal for him as some of the children only do one or two sessions each week and we are more or less completely child led.

I hope you find something soon.

Thank you Ineedalife - you've spurred me on to keep trying!